I was born in 1988 so technically am a 80s child. Although towards the end of the decade, i still grew up into the 90s with the 1980s new music, inventions and turn of events. I had never intended to do a 80s Tea, but then it suddenly came to me with lots of ideas and inspiration. Looking into planning it with decor and Food took some research. Tracking down 80s food brought lots of American foods, not much British items. Lots of Nostalgic sweets and snacks from around the time and products that came around in the 80s. Learnt some fun facts in the age of the rise of technology, Music and nouvelle cuisine. Aerobic exercise workouts and videos timw to grab that leotard and shell suit.

I remember having a cd player walkman and Cassette in the 90s and that moment when it goes all slow when the batteries are dead. I still have my original Gameboy console as well as my Nintendo NES.

When it come to decor and fashion results just brought up Neon outfits and leotards, this is not what people were wearing in their everyday lifes! It was harder to pinpoint an everyday look for eating etc. I took inspiration from the programme Back in time for dinner 80s, lot of Stripes and Red. I found a Red dinner set and Cutlery from Argos. I took inspiration from Dr who Peter Davisons outfit Cream and Red Suit for the Teacups and Teapot. Luckily found some on Ebay similar to this. I took a look at 80s styles settings and decor and happy with what i came up with. Oversized inflatables and some wigs added to the extra feel.

The 1980s was the decade of big classic Blockbusters and some iconic Music hits with new advances in technology and living. In creating these Teas i try to make it immersive as possible with Music, props and Foods from the era. Trying to recreate the feelings and atmosphere.

FUN FACTS Technology

  • MTV Aug 1981
  • cd player 1982 Sony
  • Camcorder 1982 sony Beetamax
  • Apple Macintosh Personal Computer 1984
  • Microsoft windows 1985
  • Disposable camera 1987
  • Nintendo Gameboy 1989
  • Pacman 1980
  • Channel 4 1982 UK
  • Microwaves

Microwaves

We happen to still have an original Microwave from the 80s ( Parents) it is huge compared to the small modern ones of today. But has not gone wrong fingers crossed. It is the only Microwave i have ever known so never thought anything of the size. Microwaves grew in popularity in the era but when they had come out they were quite expensive. Their were concerns about radiation leaking and you could get a device to measure potential leaking radiation around it.

Fun facts Films releases much more than this

  • E.T 1982 responsible for a huge increase of popularity for Reeses Pieces the Candy used by E.T in the film
  • Indiana Jones trio films 1981,1984,1989
  • Ghostbusters 1984
  • Back to the Future 1985 2nd film 1989
  • Honey i shrunk the kids 1989
  • Little Mermaid 1989
  • Gremlins 1984
  • Die hard 1988
  • Return to oz 1985
  • Tron 1982
  • who framed Roger Rabbit 1988
  • Flashdance 1983
  • Topgun 1986
  • Dirty Dancing 1987
  • Beetlejuice 1988
  • The colour Purple 1985
  • Little shop of horrors 1986
  • Robocop 1987
  • A nightmare on Elm Street 1984
  • pREDATOR 1987
  • Terminator 1984
  • The shining 1980S
  • Star wars films

Music

  • Culture Club
  • Bananarama
  • Wham
  • Soft cell Tainted Love
  • Human League
  • Adam and the Ants
  • Madonna
  • Kylie Minogue
  • Abba
  • Rick Astley
  • Spandau Ballet
  • Cher
  • Whitney Houston
  • Eurothymics
  • Pet shop Boys
  • Michael Jackson
  • Cliff Richard
  • Tiffany
  • Sinitta
  • Bucks Fizz making your mind up Eurovision
  • Kate Bush
  • Sade
  • Barry Manilow

FOOD

  • Cadbury Wispa bar 1981 Uk
  • Mcdonalds Chicken Nuggets via franchises uk 1983
  • Sex on the Beach Cocktail 1987
  • Red Bull 1987
  • Potato Waffles 1981
  • Lean cuisine 1980s
  • Mississippi Mud Pie 1985
  • Red Velvet Cake 1989- From the film Steel Magnolias
  • Plum Torte 1983 New York times paper recipe
  • Boost Chocolate bar 1985
  • Drifter bar 1980
  • Skittles 1980
  • Trio Chocolate Toffee Biscuit bar 1984
  • Diet Coke 1982
  • Space Raiders Crisps
Some of the new products of the 80s we tried as if they had just come out. Always fun to recreate the feeling and intrigue of trying as if for the 1st time

The Menu

I always go back and fourth across the Internet to find inspiration from Articles, Blogs, cook books and videos. I take inspiration from movies and t.v, Music and more. This time it was definitely more savoury than sweet for an Afternoon Tea. Finding sweet inspiration was a bit harder as not many dishes have a definite date set for them. With the invention of Microwaves and Potato Waffles i made my own and paired with Chicken Cordon Bleu. Quiches were still popular into the 80s from the 70s so made another Quiche Lorraine. I found out a site about popular Sandwiches by decade, Tuna Cucumber, Chicken Salad and Fish Paste. Steak Dianne was around before the 80s but still enjoyed so made some Mini Pies from a Sauce i got from M&S.

For sweet inspiration their was a few other options i chose Traditional Tiramisu made with Egg Yolks and Marsala. I prefer my regular recipe to this, but nice nonetheless. Profiteroles a staple even today at home and in many Restaurants, some places serve it with Icecream why?

Vienetta another frozen classic with Sticky Toffee Pudding also around at the time, although too heavy and dense for this Tea. I incorporated Scones into the mix with Cocktail preserves Bucks fizz Marmalade, Peach Bellini and regular Jam with the usual Clotted Cream. For the savoury ones made some Cheese & Sundried Tomato a new addition to the British kitchen back in the 80s.

Plum Cake/Torte this was a last minute addition to the menu, found in an article and was so popular with readers it was published every year for 10 years in the New York Times.

It always seems a lot to look at, and their is always leftovers but this is our Dinner and Dessert in one. Whatever doe snot get eaten on the day is used a few days or more afterwards. This Tea had far more Savoury than sweet so not much leftover sweet this time.

Cocktails although not invented carried over from the decade before were still a big part of the 80s. I ordered some Hurricane Glasses for my Woo Woo and Blue Lagoon Drinks. Sex on the Beach was also a popular drink being invented in the era.

As i mentioned earlier getting into the era and making it authentic as possible is quite important to me. So i had to as always get some costumes and Wigs. from Curly crimped Hair to Tina Turner style, Mullets and a George Michael Wig outfit. I did also order a Boy George outfit. I think all the Costumes and wigs suited us tbh Dad the most haha

TEA LIVE AS IT HAPPENED on Friday the 9th April 2021

This time i lowered the Music so that Facebook did not mute my video like last time. I also experimented with a double live video in 2 places in the room. One from my viewpoint the other from my parents side.

Changes

With every Tea their is always something that goes a bit wrong or not as expected. I would not use the Red Leicester on the Scones, a bit too much Bacon in the Quiche made it overly salty. The Steak Dianne Pies were nice but too much filling in them made them Bubble up on the sides.

I forgot to try the Trio Bars in the Snack trying section and forgot to buy some Boost Bars.

Should have put the backdrop behind the table on camera, not just for pics afterwards.

Overall it was a great entertaining Afternoon Tea and the last for a while, as i go back to work as non essential retailers open back up. I aim to have a Tea every 2-3 months or so. This was on top of the Easter one as it had been delayed since January. With my mum getting sick with Covid and my Grandads health suddenly deteriorating and passing away, it was the least thing on my mind to do.

I hope you have enjoyed reading these fun facts and looking back into the past briefly for a fun evening. If you can remember any new inventions or foods or dishes from the 80s leave a comment. Music events etc would love to hear about them.

Adam x